Description
The Lemon Herb Chicken Couscous Delight is a soul-warming soup that beautifully combines tender chicken, aromatic herbs, and the satisfying chew of pearl couscous. This recipe is especially suited for those looking to savor a comforting and nutritious meal that blends simplicity with a burst of fresh flavors.
Ingredients
- 8 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
- Water
- 1 small bunch fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, peeled and diced
- 4 ribs celery with leaves, trimmed and diced
- Cancale seasoning salt to taste (or alternatives like garlic pepper, lemon pepper, herbes de Provence)
- 1 cup pearl couscous
- ⅓ cup fresh dill, roughly chopped, plus more for serving
- 1 lemon, juiced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Dukkah, oyster splitters, or saltines for serving
- Extra virgin olive oil for garnish
Step-by-step Directions
1. Prepare the Stock
Place chicken thighs in a 3.5-quart pot, season with salt, and top with parsley sprigs. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 2 hours. Remove the chicken, strain the liquid, discard the parsley, and return the broth to the pot.
2. Start the Soup
Heat olive oil in the pot over medium heat, then sauté onion and celery until softened, about 5 minutes. Add seasoning salt and adjust the flavor as necessary.
3. Simmer the Soup
Add pearl couscous to the pot, cook for 2 minutes, then pour in the stock and shredded chicken. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered until couscous is tender, about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Finish the Soup
Add chopped dill and lemon juice, and simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
Servings & Preparation Time
This recipe serves approximately 6 to 8 people. Total preparation time is about 2 hours and 30 minutes, which includes 2 hours for simmering the chicken to make a rich and flavorful stock.
Tips for Storage & Reheating
- Storage: Allow the soup to cool before transferring it to airtight containers. It can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Reheat on the stove over medium heat until hot. If the soup appears too thick after storage, add a little water or chicken broth to achieve the desired consistency.
Conclusion
The Lemon Herb Chicken Couscous Delight offers a nourishing and satisfying dining experience that touches on the essence of homestyle cooking. With its rich flavors and hearty ingredients, this soup stands out as a delightful choice for any meal where comfort food is desired. Its ease of preparation coupled with the ability to store and reheat also makes it a perfect pick for busy days.
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Lemon Herb Chicken Couscous Delight
- Total Time: 2 hours and 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings 1x
Description
The Lemon Herb Chicken Couscous Delight is a soul-warming soup that beautifully combines tender chicken, aromatic herbs, and the satisfying chew of pearl couscous. This recipe is especially suited for those looking to savor a comforting and nutritious meal that blends simplicity with a burst of fresh flavors.
Ingredients
- 8 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
- Water
- 1 small bunch fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, peeled and diced
- 4 ribs celery with leaves, trimmed and diced
- Cancale seasoning salt to taste (or alternatives like garlic pepper, lemon pepper, herbes de Provence)
- 1 cup pearl couscous
- ⅓ cup fresh dill, roughly chopped, plus more for serving
- 1 lemon, juiced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Dukkah, oyster splitters, or saltines for serving
- Extra virgin olive oil for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Stock Place chicken thighs in a 3.5-quart pot, season with salt, and top with parsley sprigs. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 2 hours. Remove the chicken, strain the liquid, discard the parsley, and return the broth to the pot.
- Start the Soup Heat olive oil in the pot over medium heat, then sauté onion and celery until softened, about 5 minutes. Add seasoning salt and adjust the flavor as necessary.
- Simmer the Soup Add pearl couscous to the pot, cook for 2 minutes, then pour in the stock and shredded chicken. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered until couscous is tender, about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Finish the Soup Add chopped dill and lemon juice, and simmer for an additional 5 minutes.